Each of the top nine sunscreens received excellent marks for UVB protection, even after water immersion. To test water resistance, sunscreen was applied to the volunteers’ backs, and they were then submerged in water for 80 minutes, after which they were exposed to UV rays.

The sunscreens were also found to provide good protection against UVA rays, which are the rays that are linked with aging (i.e., wrinkling, sagging, brown spots).

The testing also revealed that a more expensive sunscreen doesn’t necessarily offer better protection than a less expensive one. For example, one product that was $18.82 an ounce got an overall score of 79, while No-Ad with Aloe and Vitamin E SPF 45 (a Best Buy) costs 59 cents an ounce and got a score of 89.

Fighting the Signs of Sun Damage

Using an effective sunscreen is important in helping to protect your skin from harmful rays, but if you already have damage from past sun exposure, there are treatments that can help. For instance, the Fraxel Repair laser can provide a significant improvement in sun-damaged imperfections including wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots and sun-induced redness.